Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who find themselves struggling with their personal or professional lives and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD is a significant step in getting control. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc on a person's professional and personal lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to either a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you are susceptible to the condition, according to Adler. Then, he or she will interview you about your symptoms, and examine your medical history and family history to confirm that other medical conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
Since people with ADHD tend to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening during class or on the job. They are often unable to locate important items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys, and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, depression and abuse of substances. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to consider the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are before identifying them with the condition. Mild, moderate and severe are the classifications for adult ADHD.
Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious in childhood. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing event because they can finally understand why they struggled in school and failed to reach their potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their problems and could be resentful over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
To seek treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to speak with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or through a video call. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will need to know your medical history and your family's mental health issues. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be eliminated before the diagnosis is made.
The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be especially interested in if you displayed symptoms of ADHD before age 12. They may also interview people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.
A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or any other treatment. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression need to be evaluated and treated more carefully since these conditions can are in synergy.
If the professional believes you need medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. The kind of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause unwanted side effects. Your healthcare provider will need to know if are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, and improve your time management and organizational skills.
It is crucial to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to seek out a specialist therapist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have experience helping other clients with similar struggles. You can search ADDitude or contact your local mental health service to find a professional that works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've found it difficult to reach your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD may provide the answer you have been seeking.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist will determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply to you. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that persist throughout most of your day and interfere with social, academic or professional functioning.
Adults who are not treated for ADHD often have coexisting disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He says that stress and frustration due to low performance can cause feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting a diagnose will help them understand the causes of their struggles. This could help reduce or eliminate their worries and help them concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications along with behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organization. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in many instances. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential adverse effects, such as insomnia and trouble with eating or drinking enough. Mood swings can also occur in people who are taking stimulants for ADHD and they are often difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you're an eligible participant in clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in discovering more effective methods to detect and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending and other symptoms. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step to reduce the negative impact and regaining control over your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children because their parents and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but struggled with them in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
To diagnose ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. Impairment can result in losing your job because of lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If, however, adult adhd diagnoses are experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor will help speed up the process and enable you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms started before age 12. They may ask you to talk to people who knew you during this time and may also perform a series of tests to determine your attention and memory levels.
After receiving an diagnosis, your doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different methods before they discover the one that works best for them. Keep a log of your progress, and consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as necessary.